Colgrove-Woodruff Camp No. 22
Battle Creek, Michigan

SONS OF VETERANS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
      Shortly after the organization of the G.A.R., the plan of forming a Cadet Corps of the Sons of the Veterans was discussed from time to time, but it was not until 1878 that any decisive action was taken in the matter. At a meeting of the "Anna M. Ross Post, No. 94," of Philadelphia, Pa., August 27, 1878, the subject was taken up, and, on motion of Comrade James P. Holt, a committee of five was appointed to devise means of forming a G.A.R. Cadet Corps, to be attached to that Post. On the 17^th of September following, the committee reported and submitted a plan of organization, which was at once adopted by the Post, and on the 29^th of September, 1878, the first Camp of the "Sons of Veterans" was formally organized, under the title, "Anna M. Ross Camp No. 1, of Philadelphia, Order of Sons of Veterans." Other Camps were soon organized in Philadelphia and throughout the State, and in July, A.D. 1880, a division organization was completed, with Comrade Linder as Colonel.
      The Order spread rapidly in the States of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, in 1881, and during the same year a National organization was formed, and Alfred Cope was elected Commander.
      About the same time Maj. A. P. Davis, of Pittsburgh, Pa., was organizing the "Sons of the Veterans," of that city, and on the 12th of November, 1881, he instituted an organization under the title, "Sons of Veterans of the United States of America," and prepared for it a Constitution, rules and regulations, and ritual, which provided for a National organization and State and Local associations.
      In 1883, owing to misunderstanding and dissensions in the Order first above mentioned, thirty-three of its Camps withdrew and united with the Order founded by Maj. Davis, leaving but three Camps of the original Order, but the National division remained intact, and Commander Cope created a provisional division in Pennsylvania, appointing L. M. Wagner as Provisional Colonel. A permanent organization, however, was formed for Pennsylvania, February 22, 1882, and the original Order continued to exist until August, 1886, when it was consolidated with the "Sons of Veterans, U.S.A."
      In his address at the National Encampment of the G.A.R., held at Columbus, Ohio, in 1888, Commander-in-Chief John P. Rea alluded to the order of "Sons of Veterans" as follows: "It will be but a short period until our ranks are so meagre and the surviving comrades so weighed down with the burden of years that our organization will have ceased to be an active force in the works of loyal love and charity which it has ordained. The tender ceremonies of 'Memorial Day' will then be performed by others, or not at all. It seems to me that it would be the part of wisdom for us, while yet in our vigor, to establish such relationship between our Order and the 'Sons of Veterans' as to properly recognize that organization." Afterward, at the same Encampment, the following resolution was passed: "Resolved, That this Encampment indorse the objects and purposes of the Order of 'Sons of Veterans, U. S. A.,' and hereby gives to the Order the official recognition of the Grand Army of the Republic, and recommend that comrades aid and encourage the institution of Camps of the 'Sons of Veterans, U.S.A.' "

ELIGIBILITY TO MEMBERSHIP
The requirements for admission to membership are that the applicant must not be less than eighteen years of age, and that he must be the son of a deceased or honorably discharged Union soldier or sailor, or a son of a member of the Order of "Sons of Veterans."

PRINCIPLES
The principles of the "Sons of Veterans, U.S.A." are "a firm belief and trust in Almighty God, and a realization that under His beneficent guidance the free institutions of our land, consecrated by the services and blood of our fathers, have been preserved, and the integrity and life of the nation maintained. True allegiance to the Government of the United States of America, based upon a respect for and devotion and fidelity to its Constitution and laws, manifested by the discountenancing of anything that may tend to weaken loyalty, incite to insurrection, treason, or rebellion, or in any manner impair the efficiency and permanency of our National Union."

OBJECTS
The objects of the Order are: "First, To keep green the memory of our fathers and their sacrifices for the maintenance of the Union; second, To aid the members of the Grand Army of the Republic in caring for their helpless and disabled veterans; to extend aid and protection to the widows and orphans; to perpetuate the memory and history of their heroic dead; and the proper observance of Memorial Day; third, To aid and assist worthy and needy members of the Order; fourth, To inculcate patriotism and love of country, not alone among our membership, but among all the people of our land, and to spread and sustain the doctrine of equal rights, universal liberty, and justice to all."
      The Order is organized on strictly military principles, and is officered and governed according to army regulations. The National organization, which has its one Commandery-in-Chief, corresponds to an army; the State organizations, or Divisions, are officered and governed as regiments, while the local organizations, or Camps, correspond to companies, and are regulated as such. The officers of the Camp are Captain, First Lieutenant, and Second Lieutenant, who are elected by ballot. In addition to these, the Captain appoints a stall; consisting of the following officers: First Sergeant, Quartermaster Sergeant, Chaplain, Color Sergeant, Sergeant of the Guard, Corporal of the Guard, Musician, Camp Guard, and Picket Guard. Each Camp is organized as a company, and every officer is required to discharge his duties in precisely the same manner as though he were regularly enlisted. The Captain presides at the meetings of the Camp, and in his absence his place is filled by the First or Second Lieutenant, in the order of his rank. The Chaplain's duties are indicated by his title. The First Sergeant keeps the records of the Camp, and makes a quarterly report to Division Headquarters through the Captain. The Quartermaster Sergeant has charge of the funds of the Camp, and likewise, through the Captain, makes a quarterly report to Division Headquarters.
      The Order has spread rapidly throughout the entire Union, from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It has now on its roll more than ninety thousand active members. As Commander-in-Chief Rea intimated in his address, that time will gradually decimate the ranks of the G.A.R., and old age will enfeeble the survivors, there should be a union of younger men upon whom they could lean for support, who would be worthy of their charge and who would foster and perpetuate the purpose for which they suffered and bled. When the necessity for such an organization became apparent, the Order of the "Sons of Veterans, U.S.A.," sprang into existence to meet that necessity; and well have they met it, its membership being made up of the best blood of the land, young men well drilled in military tactics, who are devoted to their country, and who cherish the memory of the brave deeds of their fathers. At a call of their country they would be among the first to spring to arms, and, incited by the deeds of their fathers, they would soon rival them in their devotion to preserve the honor and integrity of the "Stars and Stripes."